Murray Bridge hospital helipad will reopen ‘soon’, minister says – again

SA Health and a neighbouring property owner have finally reached a resolution that will allow Murray Bridge’s hospital helipad to reopen, the state Health and Wellbeing Minister says.

Minister Blair Boyer announced on Tuesday that the helipad would reopen “soon”.

A neighbour had agreed to remove a verandah which could have been affected by downwash from helicopter rotor blades, he said.

SA Health would get that job done “as soon as possible”.

Murray Bridge News is seeking a more precise timeline from Mr Boyer’s office.

The helipad has been closed since early 2024.

Work began on an upgrade at that time, but national aviation regulations changed before the work could be completed, and a contractor refused to sign off on the job.

A key requirement was for 66 metres of clear space around the helipad, which sits less than 30 metres from several private properties.

That left the newly refurbished facility unable to be used for two and a half years.

During that time, critically ill patients in need of urgent care have been taken by ambulance 14 kilometres out to an airfield at Pallamana, then choppered from there to facilities in Adelaide.

Six patients have so far taken that journey this year.

Around 28 would be choppered to Adelaide in a typical year.

“Murray Bridge residents deserve access to the highest quality healthcare when they need it, through rescue helicopter and Medstar services,” Mr Boyer said.

“I’m pleased that, after lengthy negotiations, a resolution has been reached to address safety concerns that have been holding up the approval of Murray Bridge hospital’s new helipad.”

Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network CEO Wayne Champion described the helipad as “critical” to Murray Bridge and its growing community.

Murray Bridge’s helipad will be the second-to-last of 13 around South Australia to be brought back online after being upgraded.

Successive state government spokesmen had promised a breakthrough “as soon as possible” in February, and said one was “very close” last month.

The last one, at Victor Harbor, is right next to a childcare centre.